Alright, I admit it. I’m the one. I know that bashing the NHL has become the chic thing to do right about now, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I live for the NHL. I’m the one person who would rather watch a random Blackhawks/Thrashers game, than Red Sox/Yankees or even Florida State/Miami. There’s nothing like the two month passion-fest that is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Give it to me over March Madness any day of the week and twice on Sundays.
It’s really a shame that when the Dave Andreychuk and the Lightning hoisted the Cup last month, it basically signaled the end of hockey in North America as we know it. The league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement ends September 15, and all signs point to a labor dispute that at the very least will wipe out the entire 2004-05 season before it even has a chance to get started. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA Head Bob Goodenow haven’t had official talks since last October, and no talks are scheduled in the foreseeable future.